Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will have surgery after the World Cup to cure his herniated disc, according to Tuttosport.

Buffon, who suffered the injury during a warm up session before the Paraguay clash on June 14 which tied 1-1, is unlikely to play any further part in the tournament, despite slim hopes he can recover.

And he will go under the knife once the team return from South Africa. It is said the process will keep him out for at least four months, leaving Juventus to find cover in Marco Storari from Milan.

The Bianconeri medical staff are keeping in close contact with the Azzurri.

Meanwhile, the rest of the squad will have a pre-match training session before they leave Johannesburg to Nelspruit for Sunday's clash against New Zealand.